1a. Warm-up exercises

Within drama pedagogy, the games and exercises most used are the ones that encourage co-operation, body contact and inclusion. One is never too old to play. One grows old when one stops playing. All exercises —especially wherein the participants are able to break habits and try out new ways of moving, thinking and behaving — are a good way of preparing for forum theatre

Warming up is essential to getting participants/spect-actors to be active. When the body has already been active, going onto the stage is less drastic. Especially when working with young people, it is crucial to make them feel secure about being part of the event, making them feel that they should all be equally active, and that each of them has a role to play.

Using different types of exercises that stimulate different parts of the body and the mind and interrupt the usual patterns and mechanisms of the participant’s body. This enables their emotions (and creativity and reactions) to flow more freely. In relation to the forum play, this means that the barrier a person may have towards acting are broken down or at least minimized (Boal 2002).

Everyone that is able to should participate in the exercises. It is however, important to note Boal’s point: In theatre of the oppressed, no one should be forced to do anything they do not want (Boal 2002:49). Anyone hesitant to participate should not be forced. While doing the exercise, you may find that they start participating – simply because everyone else seems to be having fun!